The Red Roos (RRA)
Based in Tuggeranong and south Canberra, the Red Roos are one of Australia's largest and most successful clubs, and have an active social life.
The Red Roos club was formed in Canberra by John and Karan Walker in November 1975, as the Red
Kangaroos (ACT), an offshoot of the Red Kangaroos (Vic). The name was changed to Red Roos in
1983 to differentiate the club from its Victorian parent club, which subsequently merged with
Bayside Orienteers to form the Bayside Kangaroos.
The Red Roos was originally a Tuggeranong-South Canberra based club, but it was one of the first
clubs to recruit members not only from elsewhere within Canberra but from throughout
Australia. The Roos brought about in change in national rules that had previously limited
membership to one’s own State/Territory. Thanks to the Roos, club memberships are no longer
limited by geographical boundaries.
Since its creation the club has averaged a membership of over 100 to make it one of the bigger
clubs in Australia. Red Roos club members are noted travellers and have enjoyed success at all
levels, with the club providing many members of Australian teams for the World Championships, World
Cup, World Mountain Bike Orienteering Championships, Junior World Championships, Australian New
Zealand Challenges, etc and always has competitors in the World Masters Orienteering Championships
no matter where in the world they are held. The club is the most successful in the Australian
Champion Club competition, having won the first four from its inception in 1984 and 11 in total of
the 25 competitions contested. The next best by any other club is four.
The club has provided many coaches, officials and administrators at both ACT and national levels,
with the two most recent national presidents being Red Roos, and its members make up over half of
the OACT Board.
However, while they are serious about their orienteering, members of the Red Roos enjoy a good
social life, having regular gatherings at: barbecues at events, monthly dinners during autumn and
winter, theatre nights at the Canberra Repertory, etc.
The Red Roos club has a smart competition uniform and something to offer orienteers of levels of
ability and interest. Its members are always ready to offer help and advice.
Contacts for more information: